European wind turbine manufacturer Areva intends to bring wealth and jobs to the East of England even though it has ruled out the region for its new UK factory.
Speakers from the energy group said this week they wanted to work closely with the region’s supply chain because of the offshore expertise and ports in prime locations near giant windfarms planned off Norfolk and Suffolk.
Around 60 delegates at OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft, heard some of the finer points of Areva’s plans at a meet-the-buyer event organised by EEEGR (the East of England Energy Group), which was part-financed by the European Regional Development Programme.
They were told that Areva was actively looking for partners and suppliers in areas ranging from components and operations to support services such as monitoring, routine and unscheduled turbine maintenance, vessels, offshore accommodation and helicopters.
Andrew Fox, Areva Wind’s business relationships manager , said they needed suppliers in place to help them win turbine manufacturing contracts in the UK.
Round 3 projects, including East Anglian Offshore Wind, off Norfolk, took windfarms into a new era further from shore with deeper water, stronger winds and more energy. It was an arena where Areva’s pioneering work with 5MW medium-speed turbines gave it an edge over the competition.
Although they were exciting times for the UK, he urged caution with continuing uncertainty from government and the electricity giants and most work unlikely to be under way until 2016.
“Be ready with your investment but be careful. The timing must be right. Talk to us first as we may have inside knowledge,” he suggested. To work with Areva, supply companies needed to offer integrity, quality and cost-effectiveness. But safety remained the priority.
Joanna Law, UK services manager for Areva Wind, detailed the specific business which could go to local contractors. “But it is not just about local work opportunities, there are opportunities in Germany and elsewhere,” she added.
Simon Gray, EEEGR chief executive, said Areva’s approach created some fantastic opportunities for the region’s supply chain. Although there might be disappointment that it was not placing a factory in the region, the support service work would span at least the next 25 years.
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Press release, October 26, 2012; Image: Areva